It’s solely been a number of months since Rockstar Video games unveiled the primary gameplay trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, and but, the hype remains to be infectious. Although it’s confirmed to launch in 2025 for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5 and PC, father or mother firm Take-Two Interactive says the event crew is “looking for perfection” when commenting on a launch date (learn: “Don’t anticipate it on this fiscal 12 months”). When the subsequent trailer might drop is anybody’s guess, however one factor is for certain – with over 176 million views, there’s nonetheless loads to glean from the primary.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is about in Leonida, a parody of Florida, and options three distinct counties – Leonard County (seemingly impressed by Broward County), Kelly County (possible primarily based on Collier County and Vice-Dale County (just like Miami-Dade County, the place Vice Metropolis is positioned). Although the trailer opens with a penitentiary and an introduction of deuteragonist Lucia, it’s not lengthy earlier than the plush website of Vice Metropolis Seaside and Downtown Vice Metropolis are showcased, each wanting even nearer to their real-life Miami variations than ever.
About 19 seconds in, Florida’s Everglades, the place numerous flooded grasslands and ecosystems like Florida Bay reside, is seemingly showcased. There may be some extremely various geography, but in addition price noting is that three airplanes crashed within the space all through historical past. Maybe there could also be some derelict planes in-game that gamers can uncover, if not partaking in missions that contain valuable landings within the area.
After that, we’re shortly taken again to the seashore and PortViceCity (once more primarily based on PortMiami, which serves one of many United States’ largest cargo ports). At about 26 seconds, whereas rushing down the freeway, a sports activities enviornment might be seen within the background, which seemingly resembles the NBA Area. Whereas VCI Airport in Kelly County is seen on the overhead instructions board, Catalan Boulevard is arguably extra fascinating. Situated in Stockyard Downtown, followers theorize that it’s primarily based on Biscayne Boulevard in Downtown Miami, which might place Stockyard in Downtown Vice Metropolis.
Catalan is utilized in Catalonia as its official language (although Spanish can be used), whereas Biscayne refers back to the Basque individuals and their residence, Basque Nation. As a result of nation mendacity on the border between France and Spain, Northern Basque Nation is contained throughout the former (with French being the predominant language) whereas Southern Basque Nation is within the latter (known as Spanish Basque Nation with Spanish because the predominant language).
The connections are a bit tenuous, however on account of Biscayne Boulevard truly present, it’s believable. The actual-world location additionally options some fascinating sights just like the retro-modern lodge Vagabond and Freedom Tower, a 78-meter tall construction which serves as a nationwide landmark, which implies each might seem within the full recreation.
In fact, there’s additionally Key Biscayne, positioned in Miami-Dade County (according to Catalan Boulevard being located in Vice-Dale County). It’s truly an island close to Biscayne Bay and options Biscayne Nationwide Park and Invoice Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Space, the latter having a museum and actions like bicycling, mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking and extra. Once more, whether or not these seem or not is up within the air and depending on Biscayne’s connection to Catalan, but it surely’s not unattainable contemplating how well-known these areas are in Florida.
Round 37 seconds in is an enormous freeway linked to varied smaller islands, that are believed to be the Florida Keys, an archipelago the place fishing and tourism (together with actions like scuba diving) are massive. Scout Key can be the place tons of collect for star-gazing and photographing the night time sky. It will not be essentially the most explosive exercise in a Grand Theft Auto recreation, however might probably function a soothing location with a beautiful skybox, and maybe a spot the place Lucia and Jason might have some downtime.
The freeway connecting these is the Abroad Freeway, a part of US 1 and spanning an enormous 113 miles. The decrease left nook of the shot is believed to be the mainland, so the real-life freeway could also be condensed to suit the general pacing of the exploration in-game. Of explicit notice is the unfinished bridge close by, an unmistakable reference to the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge in actual life.
The overhead shot of Vice Metropolis at 32 seconds is spectacular, showcasing the evolution of the skyline and format from Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis. Shortly after, we see Downtown Vice Metropolis with numerous resorts, together with Resort Dixon, within the background. Curiously, it’s theorized to be primarily based on Resort Victor in Ocean Drive, Miami Seaside, due to the identify of its architect, Lawrence Murray Dixon. It’s just too handy to be a coincidence.
The Boardwalk Resort seemingly resembles the Colony Resort, which is far additional down Ocean Drive. Nevertheless, there’s a risk of it additionally being just like Breakwater, largely as a result of entrance of the constructing and the way its indicators are organized. It’s fairly far down the road from Resort Victor however not as a lot as Colony Resort (and the overall format of the road seems nearer to the trailer). Once more, it’s probably one other case of Rockstar condensing areas for the sake of pacing and exploration.
As such, there’s no scarcity of well-known areas, however Lummus Park must also be fascinating. Situated proper throughout the road, it affords a playground and health gear. There’s room for a volleyball courtroom and skateboarding space, permitting for some recent in-game actions. If nothing else, it wouldn’t be stunning to see a reference to Keepie-Uppy seashore ball from Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis, the place gamers should repeatedly bounce a seashore ball (for no different goal than to see what number of bounces are doable).
There may be a lot we nonetheless don’t learn about Grand Theft Auto 6. Regardless of followers creating intensive maps, charting the varied streets and corners of the state, some areas like Leonard County are full unknowns (although it’s possible that Fort Lauderdale, the well-known “yachting capital of the world” might seem). With Leonard County Sheriff continuously showcased by means of the trailer, Lucia and Jason could run afoul of the top honchos of the division in the end. Possibly they begin within the county and after committing sufficient petty crimes, graduate to the massive time, hanging out in Vice Metropolis and changing into embroiled with the legal underworld.
Time will inform, but it surely’s thrilling for followers main as much as the title’s launch. How the streets will examine to their real-world areas, how numerous non-playable characters will reside out their lives and the schedules they may probably have, all the complicated secrets and techniques – particularly if Rockstar does extra with the ocean this time – there’s loads to dig by means of. Whether or not you’re eager on racing by means of the streets and inflicting widespread destruction, enjoyable in a penthouse residence (assuming it’s an possibility) or traversing the world, taking images, Grand Theft Auto 6 seems like it is going to be a generational expertise and effectively definitely worth the wait.
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